The Voice of Merrill

Often times, the Voice of Merrill focuses on wasted tax dollars on a Federal level.  Unless, the Constitution designates a particular duty to the Federal Government that responsibility falls outside the jurisdiction of the Nation’s leaders.  All too often, Amendment giant letter X is circumvented by the courts, legislators and Presidents.  Returning to a more localized form of government is essential to the long term success of the nation.

Tax expenditures on a Local level are a different beast than Federal spending.  Local authorities have a responsibility to the people to provide certain essential services and maintain the sustainability of the community while helping its citizens excel and thrive.  To do so, local communities must actively compete against adjacent communities in a manner that was non-existent at the formation of the country.  Examples of poorly run communities are strewn across the continent.  Communities that do not adapt to changing times fall to the wayside to make room for more malleable cities.  Towns that put their stock in entirety into one prospect have repeatedly failed and left tumbleweeds and ghosts in their footprints.  Diversification and spending of local tax dollars is risky and only the courageous or foolish are willing to accept the challenge.  Sometimes a bit of both characteristics is necessary.

The City of Lawrence has a challenge not unlike other University towns but not similar to other communities of her size.  As a University town, Lawrence relies disproportionately on the success of the School.  Over the last 150 years Lawrence has seen a number of diverse companies come and go while trying to identify itself as more than a college town.  The 2010 City Commission is no different than past Commissions in trying to break the stereotype.

While the fiscal future of Lawrence is relatively secure due to the stability of the University, the City’s ability to thrive and to continue to provide services to the citizens is not guaranteed.  The country as a whole is slowly and steadily emerging from the most recent economic challenge.  This is the ideal time to find investments at a lower cost and spend less time realizing rewards.  That’s the plan for the City Commission.  They have identified a building ideal for a bio-science investment.  By committing to the purchase of the building, they are making a commitment to the bio-science community that they are all in for making Lawrence, Kansas a viable center for bio-science technologies.  In combination with the additional developments in bio-sciences along the I-70 corridor, Lawrence is poised to be the epicenter of future medicine, energy and agro developments.  If the risk doesn’t pay off, the 2010 Commission is left looking foolish.  There is a fine line between genius and buffoon.  Time is the judge.

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